Turkey to open economic talks with Iraq

BAGHDAD, July 1 (UPI) -- Turkey plans to open an industrial zone in the southern port city of Basra and broker a free-trade agreement with Iraq, officials said Tuesday.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen and a delegation of high-ranking officials arrived in Baghdad ahead of a visit by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Tuzmen briefed reporters at the Al-Mansour Hotel located outside the heavily fortified Green Zone. Though he was flanked by around 50 members of the Turkish special forces, it marks one of the first such briefings held outside the Green Zone, Today's Zaman said.

"I believe that we can create a joint economic zone at the Turkish-Iraqi border. Such a zone would be a good role model to other countries," he said.

Tuzmen also spoke of a move to create an industrial zone in Basra and a free-trade agreement with Iraq.

"After Turkey opens a consulate general in Basra, a foreign trade delegation from Turkey will visit the Basra region to explore business opportunities," the minister said.

The official date for the Erdogan visit is a closely guarded secret because of security concerns, though various media outlets report he will arrive in the Iraqi capital July 4.

Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani during his visit as well as Kurdish lawmakers in the Iraqi Parliament.